Ep 20. The Prisoner

In JAG season 1 episode 20, titled "The Prisoner," Lieutenant Commander Rabb is assigned to defend a Marine pilot who is accused of aiding the enemy during the Gulf War. The pilot, Captain Engler, was captured by the Iraqi forces and spent eight years as a prisoner of war before being released and returning to the United States.

Rabb faces a difficult task in defending Engler, as the evidence against him seems overwhelming. The prosecution alleges that Engler provided the Iraqis with vital intelligence information, including the location of American troops, which resulted in the deaths of several soldiers. Engler maintains his innocence, but the prosecution's case seems to be backed up by eyewitness accounts from other American POWs who were held with him.

As Rabb delves deeper into the case, he discovers that there may be more to the story than meets the eye. He uncovers evidence of a possible cover-up by the military, as well as information about Engler's mental state while he was being held captive. Rabb also begins to question the reliability of the eyewitness testimony against Engler, pointing out that the soldiers may have been subjected to torture and brainwashing during their time in captivity.

Rabb's investigation leads him to confront several high-ranking military officials, including his own mentor, Admiral Chegwidden. He struggles to balance his loyalty to his superiors with his duty to defend his client, and tensions escalate as the trial approaches.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Austin faces her own challenges as she goes on a stakeout to try to catch a suspected drug dealer. She must conceal her identity and pretend to be a prostitute to gain the dealer's trust, and her safety is put at risk when the situation takes a dangerous turn.

Overall, "The Prisoner" is a tense and emotional episode that explores themes of loyalty, justice, and sacrifice. As Rabb fights to clear Engler's name, he is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about the military and the justice system. The episode also features strong performances from the cast, particularly David James Elliott as Rabb and Patrick Labyorteaux as Captain Engler.